SpaceX to Launch Astronauts to the ISS Aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon
If you were wondering what to look forward to this year, you’ve come to the right place! The NASA crew flight 2 is set to launch on April 22 from the Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station. The crew will launch to the ISS on a Falcon 9 Booster and a reused Dragon spacecraft which flew out to the ISS last year.
Puff the Magic Dragon would be proud to see how far the Dragon capsule has gone. It is able to carry up to seven passengers past Earth’s orbit while also being the first private spacecraft to fly humans to the space station.
This rocket has overseen refurbishments for the upcoming launch by the NASA engineers involved with SpaceX’s Dragon refurbishment team. This preparation began since the spacecraft touched down in the Gulf of Mexico in August. The Dragon spacecraft now has magnified capabilities allowing it to handle rougher conditions, including a new pad abort system to assist in case of an emergency. Its abort engines, named SuperDraco, would propel off the rocket and parachutes would deploy near the launch complex in Florida.
For all the space enthusiasts wanting to witness the liftoff and landing of this fire-breathing beast, the Space Launch Schedule website is your front row ticket for viewing.
Taking flight on the Dragon will be a crew of four veteran astronauts:
Robert S. Kimbrough – Commander
Kimbrough has previously been on two flights, a Space Shuttle flight and a 6-month mission on a Russian Soyuz Craft. Kimbrough previously commanded Expedition 50 for the space station.
K. Megan McArthur – Pilot
McArthur is not only a NASA astronaut but is also an oceanographer. She is known as one of the few who are still hands-on with the Hubble Space Telescope. Previously, she has flown on one shuttle mission, the STS-125.
Akihiko Hoshide – Mission Specialist
Hoshide is a JAXA astronaut, as well as an engineer. He is known for his space selfies from 2012 and for being the third Japanese astronaut in space.
Thomas Pesquet – Mission Specialist
Pesquet is a European Space Agency astronaut and was an engineer on Expeditions 50 and 51 on the ISS. Pesquet has also served as a pilot.
The Crew Dragon Endeavour will be leading this third orbital crewed flight on a six-month journey. To stay up to date on their expedition be sure to find us on Facebook, visit our website or download the IOS or Android app “Space Launch Schedule.”
